Mobile Computing, gardening and occassional fishing strategies

Acer has had a good run with its 23-inch screen all in one desktop computers. SomE desktop PC makers have used all-in-one desktops as place holders in the performance pc market , Acer has two different product lines, the Z1, which is performance oriented and Veritron, which is the type of computer often found on receptionist’s desks.

Supplied to me by Acer for the purposes of this review was the Acer Veriton AU5-620-UR51, with Windows 10. The configuration I tested included a 23-inch touch screen, 8GB of DDR3 memory, a 1TB hard disk drive, an optical drive, all driven by an Intel 4210n I5 processor, plus an Intel graphics controller.

One of the many things I like about this computer is it out of the box experience. I took me less than five minutes to pull this computer out of its box and bring it up on my wireless. By comparison, set up time on several 27-inch screen all-in ones I've tested has been about 10 minutes.

Right up front, I need to make it clear i feel Acer should scrap the keyboard that ships with this machine and replace it with one that has better key spacing. Three times now I have managed to kick myself off a website in the middle of a transaction by accidentally hitting one or more keys

I’ve tested this in my garage And my home offic eand found it;s a good fit for basic computing tasks, although the performance on this machine is noticeably slower than other all-in-ones with the same, or equivalent, processors.

The Veriton AU5-620-UR51 is a great general office desktop that’s easily adjusted to fit the needs of individual users, but it desperately needs a new keyboard. This all-in one is a solid yeoman and will meet the needs of almost everyone that uses an all-in-one desktop and has a retail price of $649.99.--i Jm Forbes on November 09/1016.

An announcement in June by Lenovo that it would support and was working with Google on its Project Tango technology may turn out to be a watershed moment for both companies.

Google’s project Tango is still under development but is expected to be used in Smart phones, tablets and other intelligent devices to locate themselves within a space ( "Spatial Computinmg" Tango is non GPS, and uses machine vision to identify and delineate boundaries.

The partnership between the two companies was announced earlier this year at a consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas.

Lenovo’s has announced it would use Google Project Tango Spatial learning technology on a forthcoming smart phone called the Phab 2, an over-sized phone Lenovo expects to deliver later this summer.

Lenovo’s implementation of machine vision on Android mart phones could also give the PC maker the inside tract to getting contracts to be the next manufacturer of Google Nexus house branded smart phones and tablets.

Lenovo has yet to grab much market share for US smart phones, although its phones are commonly used in Asia where inexpensive unlocked versions of their phones have garnered reputations for high definition displays, durability long battery life and other features.—Jim Forbes on 22 June 2016.

Anyone tracking emerging virtual/augmented reality technologies last week may have seen this category’s first real Simpsons “D’Oh“ moment when a senior Microsoft HoloLens marketing maven admitted that in the rush to push sexy entertainment titles and other content opportunities the world’s most well-known PC software supplier may have been initially blinded to the value of the commercial market for VR software.

Microsoft’s observation points out one of the most glaring errors in the VR market: although entertainment software and content libraries may be sexy, they don’t pay the bills like commercial software does.

There is and has always been a bifurcation in the design philosophies that shape entertainment and commercial software. The former most often taxes the capabilities of hardware, whereas the latter is designed to run on industry standard hardware configurations.

Since the advent of Window 3.1, Microsoft has pushed the boundaries of existing hardware, going so far at one point to introduce and support a hardware accelerator card that improved the performance of 8086-based desktops.

There are two other companies whose past strategies can be used to examine how to launch new technologies such as virtual reality. The most important of these is Apple Computer, which pundits believe is still a long way away from a VR announcement. The other company is Sony which is using its PlayStation platform and a new headset to leap into VR/AR.

Both companies have been able to separate past and current products through the use of intensely loyal brand advocates.

My major criticisms of VR and AR is this: its advocates aren’t getting down in the weeds and talking about the increased costs of accessing and implementing the technologies, and the actual market for VR and AR content could be adversely effected by the cost of hardware.

It’s for these reasons I think we’re about to see hardware makers announce, launch and actively market hardware aimed specifically at VR and AR; and headset makers will be forced to bundle content to gain traction. Of the two technologies, VR may have the lowest entry price and could see the first major wins with commercial software running in real estate “viewing centers” where prospective home buyers can use VR to “walk through” multiple properties.

Although there’s no shortage of commercial and educational applications where VR will be in wide spread use, there is a catch in the recipe for success. The catch : there may be more opportunity than there is specialized talent needed to edit and code new content.

I never ever thought I’d write this but now may be the perfect time to be a film school or animation student. Oh Dear! –Jim Forbes 9 March, 2016.

With universities shut down for the winter break, I asked a college instructor friend if he would be willing to swap 2-in-1 portables for a couple of days.My machine is a Microsoft Surface Book. with the optional NVidia graphics processors, his is a brand new Lenovo Yoga 900. I’ve been anxious to test the yoga 900 since they became widely available through retail late last month. I like the Lenovo’s yoga 900 $1,199 basic configuration: An 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 processor a 256GB SSD, 13.3- inch screen, 8GB of RAM in a rugged 2.8 pound package.

Yoga may have the best port expansion of any Windows 1, 2-in-1 portable.it has two USB Type A sockets, One USB Type C for video out, one USB 2.0 DC Power socket plus a card reader and audio combo jack I believe that,along with battery life, screen resolution is critical to the usability of any 2-in-1 hybrid notebook. the yoga’s QHD 3.200 by 1,800 pixel screen delivers bright colorful displays that can be viewed easily from different angles. I honestly prefer the Microsoft Surface Book’s 3,200 by 2,000 pixel screen which is a better fit for me when I use topographic or aerial maps as I trek through historic sites in CA’s Gold Country, or the gold fields in the Angeles National Forest here in Southern California. Battery life is very good,I routinely used the yogga 900 for about 8.5 hours between charges. Yoga’s battery life is one of its biggest selling points. In tablet mode,I had more than enough battery life to watch extended feature length movies, compared to about 3 hours of battery life for my Surface book in tablet mode. The yoga 900’s fit and finish is top shelf. to use Yoda in it tablet mode, you fold the screen over the system case. I have no concerns about the hinge used on this device, it’s very sturdy and smoothly transitions the screen from notebook to tablet mode. The compact case of this portable is very rugged.

i’ve always like Lenovo’s keyboards and was a first hand witness around 1995 through 2001 into how much research and usability testing this company puts into keyboard design.Yoga 900’s keyboard is slightly different than ones used on the company’s ThinkPad and other lines. It’s keys have a layer on their tops. Although I made numerous typos on this notebook, i’m handicapped and blame myself for the errors, not the Yoga’s keyboard. With pricing of $1,199, Yoga 900 costs half as much as a comparably configured Microsoft Surface book. The newest member of Lenovo’s Yoga family is built like a tank, has exceptional performance and is versatile enough to rise to any of the challenges 2-in-1 portables face in corporate deployment, academia or specialized uses away from office settings.--Jim Forbes on 1/25/2015

It’s been a long time since I was surprised by an all-In-One computer out of the box experience. but, Acer’s new Aspire Z3-719UR54 has ended my dry spell, this is Acer’s new top of the line all-in one and it runs Windows 10.The Acer Aspire Z3-719UR54 is a top of the line all-in-one desktop.

Acer supplied me with a standard configuration: an Intel Core i5-4590T processor that zips along at 2.0 GHz but can boost its speed to 3.0GHz, a full 8GB of DDR3L dual channel memory; a 1TB SATA hard disk drive. The new Acer AIO has a 23.8 inch screen that’s driven by Intel’s HD 4600 graphics controller. As provided me for this reviewr the purpose of this review, the Aspire Z3 -719UR 54 costs $899.

This AIO has a configuration that makes it useful for corporate offices,student dorms, or home offices.

I like the fact that this AIO doesn’t scrimp on expansion ports .It has three USB 2,0 ports and two USB3.0 ports, HDMI in plus audio input and out jacks are built into the system case. A DVD. multi optical drive also part of this system.

The Aspire Z3-719UR54 may be the best designed AIO Acer has ever produced.The system case is mounted on a pedestal, and the touch screen has 25 degrees of elevation.

The first thing I did when I set up the Acer Aspire Z3-719UR54 was see how it worked as a video conferencing platform. Its HD 1080 pixel camera captures crisp images and this system’s 23.9 inch screen (which has two stereo microphones built into its bezel makes video conferencing a great application.

The performance of this system is well above average, particularly running graphics and processor intensive applications. The same attributes, also make a very good entertainment PC

The stunning graphics capabilities of the new Acer All In One is made possible by Intel’s new HD46000 graphics processor which has the horsepower to fill a 1920 by 1080 pixel screen display to its edges while rendering crisp images.

I do have a couple of criticisms of this machine. First, I believe that all AIO manufacturers need provide keyboards with greater tactile feedback;Secondly, while the volume of this system’s speakers are acceptable for front on experiences it could be louder.the audio quality, however is above average.In fact I was surprisedb y Acer’s True harmony technology, which is part of this system’s underlying architecture.

There is o doubt in my mind that the Windows 10 operating system contributes to the performance and outstanding usability of this all-in-One desktop. Running Windows 10, boot up times are shorter and other features mhelp improve the performanc and capabilities of touch interface technologies.

The Acer Aspire Z3-719UR54 is one of the best All in ones i’ve reviewed in the last several years. At $899 it compares very favorably to Lenovo’s flagship A740 AIO, which has a much larger 27-inch screen but with a near $1,800 price tag costs almost twice as much as the new Acer.--Jim Forbes on 09/04/2015.

My transition from a conventional smartphone to a phablet has been much easier than I expected. I jumped form factors willingly. I haven’t dropped my new phone once and because I wear shirts with big pockets, it’s been a great fit for how use a smartphone. Right up front I have to admit that I have middle-aged eyes, so the large screen on my phablet has made it easier for me to deal with email on my phone. But most of all, I rely on text messaging-- my plan includes unlimited texting as a basic feature. more than at any time in the past. Using my phone for Internet related things has also skyrocketed. Checking to make sure 4G is commonly available in your hometown is something I recommend to anyone who is considering the jump from a conventional smartphone to a phablet. The availability of 4G cell technology was a major reason I switched from my previous carrier, AT&T, to T-Mobile. the entry price for my phablet-- about $220-- was just as important. My previous carrier offered offered a Galaxy Tab 3 that I could buy and use for email for only $10 more a month. If I wanted “to use it for voice, I could install an application that was similar to Skype,” the helpful salesman said right before I walked out the door.Carrying two phone just seems stupid-- although I have kept my old Nexus 5, in case I need access to another phone in a hurry. If you’re someone who is intellectually tied to a smartphone that can easily fit in the vest pocket of an Armani tuxedo, or a Chanel opera clutch, then a phablet probably isn't for you. Also if you’re tied to an activity tracker that works with the iPhone implanted in the right buttocks pocket of your stylish trousers or jeans, a phablet may not be for you, just yet.

I made the switch because my ZTE Zmax phablet came standard with about 11GB of memory and I had grown tired of running out of memory or using obscure hacked memory management applications on my previous phone. My phablets bread and butter features make it possible to run sophisticated agricultural

and fishing applications that make my leisure time more fulfilling. the one downside to all smartphones and phablets is this: manufacturers use mechanical vibrators that are woefully anemic. But the major upside i’ve found in my move to a phablet is I’ve been able to forget worrying about battery life and I no longer carry an emergency power supply in the side pocket of my book bag. looking at my day to day usage, I love the reliable bluetooth transceivers that are used in almost all phablets-- because they works in my Kia hamster van, which has a notoriously finicky blue tooth circuit, and because its standard memory configuration lets me install my GBs of Doobies, Allmans and John Stewart music without ever worrying about running out of memory. Would I do I switch back to an Android or iOS smartphone? No way.--Jim Forbes,February 20,2015.

At long last PC makers are taking steps to make, All-In-One (AIO) desktops easier to service and upgrade.

Historically, AIOs have used beefed up versions of system boards designed for portable computers but housed in a case that's not easily opened by users for common upgrade procedures such as adding additional system memory.

Over the last 30 months , a handful of AIO makers have introduced new designs that include access ports that make it possible for owners to upgrade their systems, without completely disassembling a system case.

The first PC maker to introduce those was Apple on it’s high end IMac line. Apple was followed by Asus and Lenovo. A $1,000 Lenovo or a $2,500 iMac that doesn’t allow a user to easily add more (or change) memory is a bad investment.In fact user accessibilty is so important to me that it was among the top two reasons why I purchased a Lenovo with a 29-inch display last year.

Lenovo B750 with access port

All-in-one manufacturers should rethink all their case designs and support features that make it easier for users to upgrade their systems.

ONe of the most consistent reasons users upgrade memory on their All-in-Ones is t o increase performance overall and specifically to better take advantage of memory hungry graphic programs.

I suspect Microsoft’s new HoloLens technology could be a factor that pressures AIO makers and users to bump up their system memory, or upgrade harddisks.

AIO case system designs should also be changed to make it easier to replace optical disk drives.In the 18 month period ending October of2014, the optical drives on a 23-inch Lenovo and a 23 inch Sony AIO both failed out of the waranty period. I was unprepared for a service bill that included 3 hours of labor and a wait of up to three weeks to get an optical drive that would fit in the cases of either system, so I bought an external USB optical drive and gave the systems to a young relative who is a college student.

I’m willing to bet that hP is at the head of the AIO Makers who will increase the capabilities of all-in-ones in the coming months. The example here is the HP Sprout, a 23-inch Windows 8.1 platform with a capacitive touch pad under the screen that can be used to directly alter or manipulate images.

I hope the other AIO makers take a good look at the HP Sprout and its capabilities, which could kick off a new class of desktops that challenge Apple’s 27-inch iMAC.--Jim Forbes on February 2, 2015.

I was pleasantly surprised by a new companion on a recent day trip by train to Los Angeles from my home in North San Diego County.

The purpose of my trip was to meet with a couple of Southern California startups I’d like to write about early next year and simultaneously test a new convertible notebook, the ThinkPad Yoga 3 Pro,my companion on the trip was the new Lenovo hybrid convertible

the top line takeaway on the new Thinkpad Yoga Pro is that once again Lenovo’s emphasis on the user experience pays off.

Yoga 3 Pro stretches the hybrid convertible platform by adding a 3200 by 1800 pixel, 13.3 inch screen and a new keyboard that locks in a when the screen is flipped over and this hybrid is used as tablet. Called Lift and Lock the new keyboard provides a solution to a serious problem with many hybrids-- inadvertent key strokes when the notebook is ing used as a tablet. The Lift and Lock keyboard is available only on the ThinkPad Lenovo Yoga 3. the backlit keyboard on this notebook is delightful. It’s island style keys have just enough tactile feedback to make most users happy. I wish this keyboard were available on the economical IdeaPad Yoga line.

The Yoga 3 Pro I used on this trip was an entry-level unit with: an Intel Pentium M 1.1Ghz processor, 8GB of memory, a 512GB SSD, an Intel 5300 graphics controller and Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro. It cost about $1,400 when it was purchased recently at a local computer store by its owner.

Overall system performance was better than I expected, given this notebooks use of a new Intel 1.1 Ghz CPU. But, the Yoga 3’s graphics performance, which is critical to a user’s perception of any hybrid notebook is better than other hybrid convertibles I’ve reviewed. Intel’s new graphics core logic and the Yoga 3 Pro’s 13.3-inch screen are a great match.

The overall measurements of this new flagship product are 11.8 x 9 x .5 inches and it weighs only 2.6 pounds, much lighter than virtually all convertible hybrid notebooks.

There are no surprises in the construction of the thinkpad yoga 3 Pro. It’s well built and designed to slip in and out of a carrying sleeve or carrying case without snagging.

the basic build ensures great performance and versatility. For example, the 512GB SSD is big enough for a Microsoft Office install or custom corporate or professional applications.

The sole criticism I have of the new Thinkpad is its battery life. I made sure the yoga 3 Pro was fully charged before I left for LA on the train. I reviewed two extensive powerpoint decks and wrote my questions on the way up, which took about 1.25 hours. My meetings lasted five hours and by the time I reboarded the train, I had burned through most of the batteries’ charge in less than 6.5 hours of real world usage.

For most corporate uses, 6.5 hours of battery life should be enough, but for field service workers (who represent one of the biggest markets for this type of notebook, an eight-hour battery life may be required.

Makes Lenovo’s Yoga 3 remarkable is its construction and size. The case is incredibly sturdy and there are no rough edges on the case to snag in a book bag or carrying sleeve. Its overall measurement are 11.8 x 9 x .5 inches and it weighs only 2.6 pounds.

The performance of Lenovo’s newest Yoga is well above average, and I think many users will appreciate its large and sparkly 3200 by 1800 pixel, 13.3 inch screen.

Coming home to San Diego, plugged into a power outlet on the train, I liked that the Yoga 3 Pro had enough stereo volume to do justice to my collection of Doobie and Allman Brothers music. Judging from the sly smiles of fellow passengers, I think they may have noticed the audio quality too.

At first, I thought the Yoga 3 Pro might be the convertible hybrid I could load up with digitized maps and use on my exploratory trips to California Mining districts. However, the absolute requirement I need for my specific usage model is an eight-hour battery life.

I keep hoping to find a convertible notebook I can carry in my backpack and use for at least eight hours as I explore 19th century mining communities. I have a feeling the notebook of my dreams will appear soon, but for now, I could make do nicely with a Yoga 3 Pro.---Jim “still searching for old diggin’s” Forbes, December 09/2014.

the first big improvements in portable computing were better keyboards. large VGA screens, then integrated WiFi, USB and HDMI connectors and relentless drive to adopt faster processors and provide longer battery life.

the next big thing is one of the most visible aspects of portable computing, brighter screen displays and increased increased resolution.the one time owner of the graphics processing socket, Intel Corp, could be on the way to being dethroned as portable and tablet computer makers respond to the growing use of touchscreens and other technologies that require more graphics horsepower than Intel’s current 4400 graphics chip may be able to supply.

Initially, Acer and Lenovo have tried to boost graphics performance and capabilities by adding graphics processors to a few units in their product line, notably portables with 14-inch screens.

I’ve tested portables from those vendors that use NVidia graphics chips that have been designed to improve graphics capabilities, they can and do make a tremendous difference in making a portable easier to use for extended periods, as long as they don't radically alter battery life.

There is one PC maker that has always understood the difference display technology can make in product adoption and technology leadership. that company is Apple and its Retina display technology and its A8X graphics processor which isUsed on Apple's highend iPAD. Retina has the horsepower for delievering stunning video displays.

All forms of tablet computing--including hybrid laptops, could becom battlegrounds for companies that want to set products apart through the use of display technologies.

To date my favorite tablets and hybrids based on screen technolohgiesinclude Samsung’s Galaxy Note Prob with a 12.2 inch screen, the new Lenovo Yoga Pro3, and Apple’s iPad Air 2 which uses tghe A8X chip

Acer’s new TAU272 HUL all-in-one desktop, could be the first in new wave of computers that breaks the mold in traditional desktop computing. Unlike most all in Ones this new desktop is based on Google's Android operating system.

The TAU272 HUL has a 27-inch screen and supports 10-point touch controls. I was very anxious to test out this new Google Android powered all-in-one because over the last year, I’ve switched to cloud-based applications such as Google’s docs and spreadsheets, which eliminates my need for high capacity local storage and other local capabilities as well as expensive personal and office productivity applications.

The TAU272 HUL is a pared down all-in one. It boots Android 2.2 “Jelly Bean” operating system from local storage when it starts up and has been designed to use with cloud-based apps. the basic configuration of this AIO includes, 16GB of memory, an NVidia 1.6MHz quad core Integra processor with 2GB of memory, A Dolby Surround Sound audio subsystem, 3 USB 2.0 and two HDMI ports amd a MicroSD port, plus a 2 MP self contained camera.A wireless small form factor keyboard and mouse are shipped with this system.

Initial pricing for the Acer TAU272 HUL which is just now being offered by some online retailers is about $900.

An integrated hard disk and an optical drive are not included in this system, but a surfeit of USB ports makes adding those components easy, if they’re needed.

this all-in-one’s case is very sturdy its swingarm stand iseasily positioned to meet the needs of an individual or a group of users.s. The speakers on this system are mounted in a clear plastic mounting under its screen, which improves this desktop's audio experience.

My only complaint with the design of the TAU 262 is this: when the stand is deployed, its HDMI connectors are positioned in a fashion that makes quick connections difficult.

This new all in One is built around Acer’s touch-enabled 27-inch 2540 by 1440 pixel screen. the screen on this system has one of the widest viewing angles (nearly 180 degrees) I’ve ever tested on any all-in-one desktop. And this machine can be tilted 30 degrees from its vertical upright position. The tilt and widescreen viewing angle make this machine a good platform for entertainment applications where more than one person is viewing the screen.

Unfortunately, although the DOlby Surround Sound system has a great tonal range, it’s somewhat underpowered.

I found the video displays to be not as sharp as other all-in-ones I’ve tested that use faster Intel multi-core processors and more capable display logic.the video display on the TAU272 HUL has a long way to go. it took about 29 seconds for this AIO to boot up, which is on a par with other Android tablets and phablets i've tested.

One of the features I like about this computer is connecting my notebook to it using the HDMI connectors. the ability to use this systems display with a 14- 15-inch portable is something I believe some users may find appealing and its useful for bringing touch interface teschnology to otherwise touchless platforms.

After using Acer’s TAU272 for two weeks, I’ve come to a couple of conclusions: first, Android can migrate to desktops running cloud-based applications; Second, any all-in-one desktop has to have not just high resolution displays but also high performance video controllers; and finally, consumers probably expect Android-based AIO’s to be significantly less expensive than Windows-based machines.

Except as noted, I like the Acer TAU272 and I suspect this desktop could be the first in a long line of future Android desktops.-- Jim Forbes on 04/20/2014